International maritime trade lost its momentum in the years 2018 and 2019. Heightened trade tensions between China and the USA, and weaker developments in the market segments largely impacted economic and trade growth in many countries The impact of this economic slowdown was also felt in container trade globally. Global maritime trade slowdown was further worsened by the implementation of IMO  020 regulation on the use of low-sulphur fuels, and COVID 19 outbreak.